HERE ARE SOME SUGGESTED GARDENING TASKS THAT SHOULD BE DONE THIS MONTH
August is a great month to get organized about what you want to do for your lawn or landscape by September. For this reason, August is sometimes referred to as the “Gateway to Fall.” Before going any further, let’s review July. We are so used to having July be a hot and dry month. Yes, it was hot, but July ended up being a wet month.
I say this every year at this time. I can’t stress enough the importance of having a complete soil test analysis done on your lawn or on any landscape beds. August is a good month to correct any needs that this soil test may indicate.
HERE IS A LIST OF TASKS TO BE DONE IN AUGUST
- According to the VIRGINIA TECH GUIDE TO PRUNING, roses are the only plant listed to be pruned in August. Also, August should be the last month for feeding roses. Roses will put on a show with color from now through the fall.
- Do you have peonies? If you do and they did not perform up to your standards, it may be because they need to be divided. August is the ideal month to dig up and divide peonies. Each division should have 3 or 4 “eyes” (bulb tips) per division. Be sure to add some ESPOMA BULB TONE in the hole at the time of replanting. We will be getting in new bare root peonies this month.
- New fall flower and vegetables seeds are arriving this month. In addition, we will be receiving our spring blooming bulbs this month that includes daffodils, tulips, crocus, hyacinths, and more. August is the month to make your selection and September is the beginning month to plant.
- As to watering, we don’t know if August will be a hot and dry month. If it is then you need to be very diligent about watering all your plants, especially all container plantings and hanging baskets.
- Speaking of hanging baskets, most annual flowering hanging baskets would benefits from have a good haircut and a feeding. These baskets, such as petunias, impatiens, and many others are going to keep growing and flowering through the fall until frost. And, remember to feed these baskets.
HAPPY AUGUST GARDENING!!!!!!!!!!